Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving lasagna but don’t have the time (or energy) to bake. It uses simple ingredients, comes together in one skillet, and is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s family-friendly, customizable, and saves on both time and cleanup.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
ground beef (or Italian sausage)
onion
garlic
crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
Italian seasoning
lasagna noodles (broken into pieces)
ricotta cheese
mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
olive oil
salt
black pepper
fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce and stir to combine.
- Break lasagna noodles into bite-size pieces and stir them into the sauce.
- Add enough water or broth to ensure the noodles are mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender.
- Drop spoonfuls of ricotta over the top, sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan, and cover for a few more minutes until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired and serve hot.
Servings and timing
Serves: 4–6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: 30–35 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian: Omit the meat and add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy twist: Mix ricotta with a beaten egg and herbs for a creamier texture.
- Meat lovers: Combine ground beef and sausage for richer flavor.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or pasta of choice.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use regular lasagna noodles without boiling them first?
Yes, just break them into pieces and let them cook directly in the sauce.
What’s the best skillet to use?
A deep, nonstick or cast iron skillet with a lid works best for even cooking and easy cleanup.
Can I use jarred pasta sauce?
Absolutely. A good-quality marinara or spaghetti sauce works great and saves time.
Is ricotta cheese necessary?
It adds creaminess, but you can skip it or use cottage cheese as a substitute.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking?
Stir occasionally during cooking to keep noodles from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it reheats well. Prepare in advance and reheat just before serving.
Can I add vegetables to this?
Yes, diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach are great additions.
Will other types of pasta work?
Yes, short pasta like rotini or penne can be used if you don’t have lasagna noodles.
How do I know when the noodles are done?
They should be tender but not mushy. Taste-test a piece around the 15-minute mark.
Can I bake this instead?
This recipe is designed for the stovetop, but you can transfer it to a baking dish and bake with extra cheese on top if desired.
Conclusion
Easy Stovetop Skillet Lasagna brings all the flavor and comfort of traditional lasagna to your table in under 40 minutes—no oven required. It’s the perfect weeknight solution for a hearty, one-pan meal that the whole family will love. Simple, satisfying, and irresistibly cheesy.
PrintEasy Stovetop Skillet Lasagna
A quick and hearty one-pan version of classic lasagna, made on the stovetop with layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this skillet lasagna delivers all the flavor and comfort of traditional lasagna in under 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8–10 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce.
- Break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the sauce.
- Add enough water or broth to mostly cover the noodles. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender.
- Drop spoonfuls of ricotta on top, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook a few more minutes until cheese melts.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Ricotta can be substituted with cottage cheese.
- Jarred pasta sauce works well as a shortcut.
- For extra flavor, combine beef and sausage.
- Great with a side salad or garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
